Yrsa Sigurdardottir - Last Rituals

Brjann, the history student, assumed the role of peacemaker. "Er, I don't understand exactly what you're driving atof course someone killed Harald and if it wasn't Hugi, who was it? But you'll save yourselves a lot of time and effort if you just accept we're telling the truth. None of us killed Harald. We had no reason tohe was fun, always doing crazy things, really generous, and a good friend and companion to us all. Our society's nothing without him, for example. Not to mention the fact that none of us could have killed himwe weren't anywhere nearby and plenty of witnesses can confirm that."

Andri, who was working on a master's degree in chemistry, backed him up. His eyes were glassy and Thora had a faint suspicion that he was high. Perhaps his interest in chemistry went beyond the realms of academia. "It's completely true. Harald was unique; none of us would ever have wanted to get rid of him. He could be sarcastic and acted weird sometimes, but he was always really decent when it came down to it."

"How lovely," Matthew said witheringly. "But I'd like to know one thing. You were all at the party apart from Halldor. Do you remember Hugi and Harald going into the bathroom together and coming out with bloodstains on their clothes?"

All the students shook their heads, except Halldor. "No one was thinking about clothes in there." Andri shrugged. "That may well have happened but I for one don't remember it." The other three nodded in agreement.

They sat and said nothing for a while. Several cigarettes were stubbed out and more were lit. Matthew broke the silence. "So you don't know who killed Harald?"

In unison, the group said firmly: "No."

"And you've never used body parts, like a finger for example, in your black magic?" he went on.

With less synchronization: "No."

"And you don't recognize this magic symbol?" Matthew threw a drawing of the magic symbol that had been carved into Harald's chest onto the table.

In unison again: "No."

"That would be more convincing if you looked at the paper," Matthew said sarcastically. None had done more than barely glance at the drawing.

"The cops showed us that symbol. We know perfectly well what you're talking about," drawled Marta Mist. She laid her hand casually on Dori's thigh.

"Fair enoughI understand. But can you tell us what happened to all the money Harald transferred to Iceland shortly before he died?" asked Matthew.

"No, we don't know anything about that. We were Harald's friends, not his accountants."

"Did he buy anything, or talk about buying something?" Thora asked, directing her words at Briet, whom she thought most likely to tell the truth.

"He was always buying things," Briet said, darting her eyes toward Marta Mist and Dori. Noticing the former's hand on the latter's thigh, she turned back to Thora and added: "If not for himself, then for Dori. They were so close." She smiled maliciously.

Thora noticed a blush fill Dori's cheeks. "What did he buy for you, and why?" she asked.

Dori rocked awkwardly on the sofa. "It wasn't like that. Sometimes he gave me this or that in exchange for the help I gave him."

Thora refused to let him off the hook. "Like what?"

Dori blushed even more. "Just stuff." He flicked his hair back over his eyes.

Matthew slapped his thigh againmore determined now than before. "Well, folks. I have an idea. Marta Mist, Briet, Brjann, and Andriyou don't know anything, so you claim, and there doesn't seem much to be had out of you. How about you going home to study, or to class, or whatever it is you're so busy withand Thora and I can have a quiet chat with Dori?" He addressed Halldor. "Isn't that best? It might be less awkward."

"As if!" Marta Mist shrieked. "Dori doesn't know any more than the rest of us." She turned to Dori. "You don't have to stay. Let's all leave."

Dori said nothing at first, then brushed her hand from his thigh and shrugged. "Okay."

"Okay? Okay what? Are you coming with us?" Marta Mist asked irritably.

"No," replied Dori. "I want to get this over with. I'm staying."

Marta Mist's expression darkened, but she restrained herself and feigned indifference. She bent over Dori and whispered something to him before standing up. He nodded vacantly. Thora watched as Marta Mist planted a soft kiss on Dori's head and Briet pretended not to notice. Andri and Brjann busily put out their cigarettes and got to their feet. There was no mistaking their relief.

Matthew showed the students to the door. Meanwhile, Thora and Dori sat in the modern living room with the horrors of the past all around them. Thora felt sorry for the young man, who obviously wished he was somewhere else. In a way the circumstances reminded her of her own sona young man locked in a mysterious inner struggle.

"You know we're just looking for the truth, don't you? We're not wondering about anything stupid you may have been up to," she said to break the silence and lighten the oppressive atmosphere. "Really, we agree with you on the basics of the casethat Hugi is innocent, or at least facing more serious charges than he deserves."

Dori avoided looking at her. "I don't believe Hugi killed him," he said in a low voice. "It's a load of bullshit."

"You're fond of your friend, I can tell," said Thora. "If you want to help him, by far the best course is not to conceal anything from us. Remember that your friend can't expect help from anyone except us."

Dori grunted, without indicating whether or not he would help them.

Matthew came back and threw himself down in the chair. He watched Dori thoughtfully for a while. "A strange circle of friends you've got. The girls didn't exactly look like they'd fall into each other's arms on the way out."

Dori shrugged. "They're all kind of down at the moment."

"I see. Well, shouldn't we get down to business?" asked Matthew.

"I don't mind," Dori replied. "Just ask and I'll try to answer." When he reached out for a cigarette, Thora noticed his hands were shaking.

"Okay, buddy," said Matthew, sounding almost paternal. "We're interested in a number of points you can surely help us with. One is the money that Harald spent and another is the historical research you worked on with him. Let's begin with the money. What can you tell us about his finances?"

"Finances? I knew nothing about that, I swear. But you didn't have to be Einstein to see that he was filthy rich." Dori gestured around the room, then shrugged. "His car was pretty flashy, too, and he dined out a lot. Unfortunately it wasn't a lifestyle the rest of us could afford."

"Did he dine out by himself?" asked Thora. "Since you were poor students."

This was clearly an uncomfortable question. "Well, sometimes." He puffed on his cigarette. "Sometimes I went with him. He invited me."

"So he took you along and paid the bill, is that it?" Matthew asked, and Dori nodded. "More often than he dined alone?" Dori nodded again. "What else did he treat you to?"

Dori was seized with a sudden interest in the ashtray and stared at it as if the answer to the question was to be found there. "Well, just stuff."

"That's not an answer," Thora said calmly. "Just tell uswe haven't come here to pass judgment on you or Harald."

A short pause and then: "He paid for all sorts of stuff for me. My rent, textbooks, clothes, taxis. Dope. Everything really."

"Why?" asked Matthew.

Dori shrugged. "Harald said the money was his to do with as he pleasedhe never denied himself something just because his friends were broke. I found it embarrassing, but I was flat broke and he was such a fun guy. There were never any hassles. I tried to repay him by helping with those translations and other stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" Matthew asked.

"Nothing." Dori's blushing cheeks grew even redder. "It was nothing sexual, if that's what you think. Neither Harald nor I were, are, on that side of the fence. There have been plenty of girls."